Population

High Point’s historic population growth has seen the city grow from 2,500 residents in 1890 to over 100,000 in 2010:

The U.S. Census Bureau recorded a total population of 104,371 for High Point on April 1, 2010. The Planning & Development Dept. also estimates the city's population as of April 1 each year based on information from several sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau, the NC Office of Budget & Management, and residential building permits and demolitions issued by the City. In addition, the Planning & Development Dept. calculates the projected population of the city approximately every five years. The City's annual population estimates and projections since the latest census are as follows:

The census being conducted on April 1, 2020 will provide a new baseline for the city's population estimates and projections over the next decade when it is released to the public. The NC Office of Budget & Management also releases municipal estimates annually, which are used to distribute state shared revenues to local governments. However, those estimates are typically for the year prior to when they are released, which is in part why the City calculates its own more up-to-date estimates.

Demographics

The distribution of High Point’s 2010 population in five-year age increments reveals two immediately noticeable trends – the spike in the number of 15 to 19-year-olds, and the wave of middle-aged adults, known as “the Baby Boomers.” The dramatic peak in teenagers is due in part to High Point University’s significant growth, but is also caused by a larger than usual age group known as “the Millennials.” As the Baby Boomers move out of mid-life they will contribute to the “graying” of the population, a trend that is being seen not only in High Point, but also across the nation.

Although Whites and Blacks/African-Americans combined still made up the vast majority of the city’s population in 2010 at 53.6% and 33.0% respectively, the trend over the past 20 years has clearly been towards greater racial diversity in High Point.

While Hispanics/Latinos are still a relatively small component of the overall population, totaling less than 10,000 people and 8.5% of the population, they have been growing at a faster rate than the non-Hispanic population.